The latest arrest of Richard Anthony Herod, 38, whose special skills included picking jail cell locks, came from a Jan. 7, 2010, home invasion in the 2500 block of 21st Avenue North in Texas City. A woman was with her husband and two young children when she heard a bang at the front door, police said. Two armed men wearing masks entered the home, and both pointed their weapons at her. They forced the children to the floor, bound her hands while putting her on the couch and took her husband outside, police said.

At that point, the woman was touched inappropriately. She was taken to the garage with her husband, who was also bound by the hands. The suspects left with hundreds of dollars from the house. None of the victims required medical treatment. The second suspect eluded capture, police said.

The trial began June 4 in state District Judge David Garner’s courtroom. A jury found Herod guilty Tuesday of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated robbery, then began deliberating his punishment Tuesday afternoon.

The jury sentenced Herod to 99 years or life. Prosecutors plan to prepare final paperwork with the lesser sentence of 99 years. Herod would become eligible for parole after serving 30 years of either sentence.